Maybe I'm in the wrong but I don't think it's fair to compare a Professional Athlete making millions to a Firefighter in a much more noble profession making much less. Sure it's favoritism in both cases, but this is favoritism we can live with. If you or your family are ever in that situation, this is the guy who's going to save you, not the athlete.


It took balls of steel to do what those firefighters and police officers did on 9/11. If anyone deserves a 2nd chance, it's this guy. Kudos to the Judge on this one

 

Whatever judge used that as an excuse, should be disbarred.

 

but think about this, lets say the crime was a little more serious, lets say he sexually molested a child, would u still think he deserves a 2nd chance?

 

Presidents give out pardons all the time, too. Should we take that away? There is nothing wrong with showing compassion for individuals who have earned it

 

That is not a fair comparison though. His crimes were victimless

 

Doesn't matter, you do the crime you do the time.

 

Driving under the influence may be victimless until he actually kills someone for driving under the influence. This guy is going to think hes invincible because he's an "American Hero."

 

NO ONE is above the law, not even the President. Jimmy, correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't this violate the Fifth Amendment?

In this case, there may be extenuating circumstances due to his psychological and physical conditions following 9-11. He suffered significant trauma. That being the case, he should be remanded to mandatory care. Being just let off the hook sounds like a miscarriage of justice.

 

while i do give the judge props for recognizing what this man has done, i tend to agree with the majority here in that he should probably be punished. there are many, many brave men and women who risk their lives every single day to save Americans, and not to downplay what happened to the rescue workers on 9/11 because what they did certainly was heroic, but they also weren't the only firefighters to ever lose their lives you know? and what about our brave soldiers? they've all risked their lives, so do they all get second chances too? i think it just sets a bad precedent.

while i appreciate what this man and many others have done, i have very little tolerance for DUIs. it is irresponsible, dangerous and downright stupid. and besides, if it is a first offense his punishment wouldn't be so horrid that he couldn't just take it and live with it.

now, if this is a 2nd, 3rd, etc. offense to the point where the judge letting him go is actually getting rid of significant jailtime, then i think it is rediculous, because this would have then been his 3rd, 4th, etc. 'chance'. and a repeat DUI offender is someone who i have less than zero tolerance for, regardless of his/her honors

 

My son is a fire fighter.
IF he got caught dui, it would be all on him. It would have nothing to do with his job.
If they go to their job drunk, how long would they have a job?
To me, if they abuse the laws, their the same as the rest of us.
I admire our firefighters, police and armed forces for what they do for us, but no one should be above the law.

 

:up: What she said !

 

But you cannot compare a child molester who actually did the act to an individual who didn't. We can play the what if game all day, fact of the matter is if you are going to compare a child molester to a 9/11 hero who is ONLY guilty of the crimes he is charged for it's quite silly, imo.

 

In no why did i compare a 9/11 hero to a child molester. This guy committed a crime. If any one committed the same crime they would be punished, and so should he. This judge is basicly telling any firefighter or policeman who helped during 9/11 that it is ok for them to drive under the influence because they are an American Hero. This guy could of killed someone. He is being negligent and should be held accountable for it. I don't care who he is. Hero or no Hero. Also what about American Soldiers serving in Iraq. I consider them American Hero's. Does it give them the right to drive under the influence? No.

Also lets say that person killed someone close to you because he was negligent, would you care if that person was an American Hero or not?

 

He got a pardon due to his previous noble actions. And I'm sure people of such character appreciate the 2nd chance they have been given and feel guilty about their crimes and will NOT repeat them. If they do, then they will pay for it. I'm a betting man, and I'd wager to say that this particular individual will not be like your typical athlete hooligan

 

Didn't happen. But if we're playing the what if game, what if this Fireman saved you or your loved one from certain death on that day. Wouldn't you feel a little more inclined to show compassion to the individual more than someone who plays sports?

 

It's his job doesn't mean he couldn't have walked away from it on that day, as some did say in hurricane katrina. I think the guy should have been punished, but the its what he gets paid for doesn't apply here IMO. You are basically trying to trivialize something half this planet would not have done job or not.

 

if you want to play the what if game you can just as easily say, he will never do it again, despite getting off this time can't you?

 

I cannot answer this question because the fact is he didn't kill anyone. That scenario did not happen. I only work with concrete evidence and in this case it involves a human being who put his LIFE on the line to save other human beings, who went on to make a serious mistake. Certainly at least to me, way more noble and more deserving of a break than someone who catches touchdowns for living

 

saying running into a collapsing building was not beyond the call of duty is trivializing what he did, of which I am not truly sure, but assuming it is because he ran into one of the towers or was near bye. NO matter how you try to slice it you are trivializing what he and others did, by stating it was just their job. Whats your point.

 

and clearly my point is you are trying to get that point across by trivializing what he did on 9-11 rather then just saying it should be non factor. correct?

Somewhat yes. But if you want to live and die by your statement then you are basically saying all those we call heroes on that day did nothing more then their jobs, soldiers that run into fire fights to save their own, do nothing but their job, etc. And no offense bro, pretty sure they knew the towers were going down, which means they all basically knowingly gave their lives. For the price of 60k? If you don't consider that above and beyond what most humans would do, I don't know what to tell you.

 

fine, and I understand that and agree with it, but you are still missing my point, which is trying to say they just did their jobs is the understatement of the year. I will stop here because this is going no where.

 

I never said it wasn't under the scope of what firefighters are trained to do. I did say they didn't have to do it, I'm sure some didn't do it, and it makes it above and beyond because they did do it. It is the same as hurricane katrina, some officers stayed to do their duty some did not, is it their job yes, is staying behind when everyone else is running out and staying in a very much life threatening situation above and beyond the call of duty, yes. You are trying to make it black and white by stating, they either did their job or did not do their job. That is trying to trivialize what they did.

 

Look he broke the law, hero or not he broke the law, and the police officer that does his job by arresting the firefighter and also protects the public from such acts went into court and his authority as an officer of the law was crapped on. Now service men and women can come home hailed as heroes and not recieve punishement for simular crimes?

If I'm that officer I'm asking the Judge to issue "American hero" identification cards so they can just flash them at me so i don't waste mine or anyone elses time in court.

Flat out he broke the law (several times) and went from being a hero for society to a hero who is a danger to society. He does not have the right nor does a returning vet from Iraq/Afganasthan who's been shot at defending our Liberties have the right to break the laws they protect and defend.

Here's an idea your drunk? it's New York? hail a cab.